From France: Liverpool in €75m transfer battle, and other deals could depend on it

Friday’s edition of L’Equipe has a big article on Laurent Koscielny and Arsenal potentially moving for Samuel Umtiti to replace him.

Right at the bottom they point out Barcelona are looking to sign Matthijs De Ligt from Ajax, and add that the Catalan club are competing with Liverpool to make the €75m signing.

Barcelona need cash for De Ligt, which could lead to Umtiti’s sale, which could in turn see Koscielny leave Arsenal.

That’s all L’Equipe have on Liverpool, and there’s been nothing in the Catalan media this week which highlights interest from Anfield.

Barcelona’s competition has been named as Manchester United, mainly, along with Bayern Munich and Juventus.

De Ligt wants Barca to improve their salary offer, and it’s been claimed there’s better financial packages been offered elsewhere. Barca are reluctant, so unless a compromise can be found, which still feels the likeliest scenario, he’d have to go elsewhere.

Liverpool interest was reported in the Catalan media on May 12th, when it was claimed Barca ‘suspect’ Liverpool may be ‘tempting’ De Ligt with the prospect of playing alongside his international teammate Virgil van Dijk.

If L’Equipe are going from those claims, then it’s a little outdated.